Anteaters finish strong at tourney

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

San Diego State Invitational

SAN DIEGO — Sophomore outside hitter Aly Squires led UC Irvine in kills twice as the Anteaters won their final two tournament matches Saturday at San Diego State.

Squires had 21 kills as the Anteaters topped Nevada, 25-14, 24-26, 27-25, 25-18. She then had 16 kills in UC Irvine’s 25-22, 25-19, 25-20 victory over Portland.

Freshman Marisa Bubica had 11 kills for the Anteaters (2-1) in the victory over Nevada. Squires also led the team with 17 digs, and sophomore setter Mary Carls dished out 36 assists.

Sophomore outside hitter Shaina Olsen had 11 kills for UCI against Portland. Junior libero Kristin Winkler had 15 digs and Carls added 38 assists.

UC Irvine next travels to the Delaware Invitational, opening against host Delaware at 4 p.m. Friday.

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Biola Summer Slam

LA MIRADA — Vanguard University junior outside hitter Stevie Hurlbirt had a match-high 17 kills as the Lions finished their tournament with a 25-15, 22-25, 25-17, 25-9 victory over William Jessup on Saturday at Biola University.

Senior outside hitter Jamie Heenan, a Newport Harbor High product, had 12 kills and 11 digs. Freshman middle blocker Kendall Haldi had 10 kills and senior Alexandra Leja dished out 38 assists.

Earlier Saturday, the Lions upset No. 16 Bellevue of Nebraska, 27-25, 13-25, 20-25, 27-25, 15-13, behind Heenan’s career-high 28 kills.

Vanguard (4-3) won three of four matches in the tournament.

Hurlbirt had 21 kills in the Bellevue match. Leja had 52 assists, and senior libero Lisa Morgan led the team with 14 digs.

Vanguard returns home to host the Crown Plaza Labor Day Tournament next weekend, opening against Concordia at 11 a.m. Friday.